Police stage pay protest

Around 20,000 police officers today took part in a huge protest over the Government's "betrayal" of pay.

They included 1,700 officers from West Midlands Police, who travelled down to London on a 43-strong fleet of coaches. Another 330 were travelling from Staffordshire. Organisers say the number of bobbies from across England and Wales who turned out for the march was 5,000 more than expected.

The demonstration in Westminster was organised by the Police Federation, which has accused Home Secretary Jacqui Smith of betraying officers and called for her resignation.

The federation is furious that a 2.5 per cent pay award announced last year is not being backdated to September.

It says that by only backdating the deal to December 1, the deal is worth just 1.9 per cent – below the Government's two per cent pay policy for public sector workers.

Officers say the move means an entry-level police constable will lose £131 and a sergeant £206.

The protesters assembled in London's Park Lane before walking through Westminster and Whitehall.

They were accompanied by officers in uniform, on duty and patrolling the march.

Paul Tonks, chairman of the West Midlands Police Federation, said: "There are 1,700 officers from the West Midlands who have taken this trip in their own time to voice their concerns about how they have been treated.

"It is not just about money, it is about integrity and how the whole thing has been dealt with."

Sgt Matt Walker, aged 33, of Wednesfield police station, said: "I joined up because of the security the job promised. I have a young child and bills to pay."

Federation chairman Jan Berry presented a petition this afternoon to Number 10 before meeting the Home Secretary.

Gordon Brown today said the pay deal was necessary as part of the "fight against inflation".